Garment fastener

ABSTRACT

A garment fastener including a first clip with two jaws being resiliently biased toward each other and openable to receive a first portion of a garment grippingly therein, and a second clip having a second set of two jaws being resiliently biased toward each other and openable to receive a second portion of the garment grippingly therein. The invention also includes a central ring, at least one releasable coupler coupled to the first clip and formed and dimensioned to releasably couple the first clip to the central ring. The second clip is also coupled to the central ring. Two decorative embellishments are coupled with one of the first cushioned clip and the second cushioned clip.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application61/501,471 entitled “Garment Fastener” filed Jun. 27, 2011 the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to garment fasteners. More particularly,the invention relates to garment fasteners for fastening garments thatmay not have fasteners incorporated as part of the garment structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of garments exist, that are worn by wrapping, draping orlaying about part of the body, but in which the garments may not includeany specific fastener to hold the garment in place. Such garmentsinclude for example, scarves, shawls, shrugs, kimonos, swing coats,vests and some robes. Sometimes these garments are tied to secure them,more often, however, their draped relatively loosely because that ispart of their fashion appeal. In addition, many of these garments aremade from sheer or loosely woven fabrics having a see through orpartially see through quality about them so that garments worn beneaththem are at least partially visible. Current fasteners for such garmentsgenerally take the form of brooch or pin that are secured to the garmentby piercing the garment with the pin or other sharp structure. Thepiercing of the material of the garment may cause damage to orstretching of the fabric or other undesirable results.

Another problem with loosely worn garments is that they may open or gapeat times and in places that may expose parts of the wearer's body thatthe wearer does not wish to expose to view.

Further, if a pin or brooch type garment fastener is removed from thegarment, for example, when it is desirable to temporarily remove thegarment from the body, it is easy to lose parts of the pin type fastenerthat may become loose when the fastener is not secured to the garment.If a part of the fastener is lost, generally the fastener becomesinoperable and of little value to the owner. Accordingly, there is roomfor improvement in the area of garment fasteners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention solves many of the above discussed problems. A garmentfastener according to an embodiment of the invention generally includesa first spring clip, a first releasable coupler, a central ring, anoptional second releasable coupler, a second spring clip and a firstand/or second decorative structure or decorative embellishment.

The first and second spring clip may be similar in structure. In anexample embodiment, the first and second spring clips each include twoopposing jaws and a spring member that causes the opposing jaws to bebiased toward each other. The first and second spring clip may alsoinclude cushioning or padding on the jaws to assist in inhibiting harmto the fabric structure of the garment to be fastened. At least one ofthe first and second spring clips is secured to a releasable couplerattached to the spring clip, for example, on an end opposing the jaws.Alternately, the releasable coupler is coupled to the axle of the springclips or to the spring. The releasable coupler is structured to bereleasably coupleable to the central ring. The central ring, in oneexample embodiment, is generally circular in structure and has anoutside diameter ranging between two and one half centimeters and fourand one half centimeters. In another example embodiment, the centralring has an outside diameter ranging between one centimeter and four andone half centimeters. In one example embodiment, the ring outsidediameter is about 3.2 centimeters. In another example embodiment theoutside diameter of the ring is about 4.2 centimeters.

The central ring may be formed of a metallic material or other materialand has a ring thickness of approximately 0.20 centimeters and 0.35centimeters. In one example embodiment, the ring thickness is about 0.30centimeters. These dimensions provide aesthetically pleasing dimensionsas well as sufficient weight for proper draping of the garment and thegarment fastener of the invention.

Each of the first and second spring clips is operably coupled to a firstor second decorative structure. The first and second decorativestructure may be similar to one another, may be mirror images of oneanother or may be quite different from one another. The first and seconddecorative structure may be unique but thematically linked such as animage of a starfish and an image of an anchor. The first and seconddecorative structures may be rigid in nature, such as jewelry likeobjects or may be flexible and yielding in nature such as bows, ribbons,artificial flowers or feathers. The first and second decorativestructure may be permanently secured to the first and second spring clipor may be removably secured to the first and second spring clip so as tobe exchangeable.

At least one releasable coupler is structured to be releasably securableto the central ring.

In operation, the garment fastener, according to an embodiment of theinvention, is coupled by the first spring clip to a first portion of thegarment and coupled by the second spring clip to a second portion of thegarment. The garment is then secured to itself via the garment fastener.When it is desired to release the garment from its secured position, forexample, to remove the garment, the releasable coupler may bedisconnected from the central ring permitting removable of the garmentwhile also leaving the garment fastener secured to the garment toinhibit loss of the parts. When it is desired to place the garment in asecured orientation again, the releasable coupler may be coupled to thecentral ring.

The central ring is sized in such a way as to be aesthetically pleasingas well as to be functional to support and secure other objects. Forexample, the temple of a pair of reading glasses may be inserted throughthe central ring to provide a convenient way of carrying the pair ofreading glasses when the glasses are not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment fastener according to anexample embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a garment fastener as worn with a scarfaccording to an example embodiment of the invention

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a garment fastener includingexchangeable decorative embellishments according to an exampleembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a garment fastener including mirror imagedecorative embellishments according to an example embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a garment fastener including decorativeembellishments that are unique but thematically linked according to anexample embodiment of the invention

FIG. 6 is a detailed depiction of an exchangeable decorativeembellishment according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is another detailed depiction of an exchangeable decorativeembellishment according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a garment fastener including analternate embodiment of the jaws according to an example embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention is usesupporting a pair of glasses by one temple inserted through a centralring; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention coupledto a necklace as a decorative clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, garment fastener 10 according to an exampleembodiment, generally includes first spring clip 12, second spring clip14, first releasable coupler 16, optional second releasable coupler 18,central ring 20, first decorative structure 22 and second decorativestructure 24. First decorative structure 22 and second decorativestructure 24 may also be referred to as decorative embellishments

Garment fastener 10 will first be described in a fully assembled state.

First spring clip 12 and second spring clip 14 are similar in structure.Accordingly, first spring clip 12 will be described here with theunderstanding that the description also applies to second spring clip14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, first spring clip 12 generally includesfirst jaw 26, second jaw 28, axle 30 and spring member 32. First jaw 26is pivotally mated to second jaw 28 via axle 30. Spring member 32 biasesfirst jaw 26 towards second jaw 28. First jaw 26 includes firstextension 36. Second jaw 28 includes second extension 38. Firstextension 36 and second extension 38 are positioned to be manipulated bythe fingers to open first jaw 26 relative to second jaw 28 against thebias of spring member 32. First jaw 26 and second jaw 28 are internallycovered by padding 34. Padding 34 is adapted to cushion a garment to beclipped to inhibit damage to the garment fabric when fabric is grippedbetween first jaw 26 and second jaw 28.

First releasable coupler 16 is coupled to first spring clip 12, secondreleasable coupler 18 is coupled to second spring clip 14 for example ataxle 30. First releasable coupler 16 and second releasable coupler 18may take the form of resilient “S” hooks (not shown) or as depicted,having larger hook 42 and smaller hook 44. At least one of firstreleasable coupler 16 and second releasable coupler 18 is adapted toclip onto central ring 20.

First decorative structure 22 is coupled to first spring clip 12; seconddecorative structure 24 is coupled to second spring clip 14. Firstdecorative structure 22 and second decorative structure 24 can takevirtually any decorative form and include button like structures asdepicted herein as well as structures that may be coupled to dangle fromfirst spring clip 12 and second spring clip 14.

First decorative structure 22 and second decorative structure 24 cantake many forms. First decorative structure 22 and second decorativestructure 24 may be rigid in nature, such as jewelry like objects or maybe flexible in nature such as bows, ribbons, artificial flowers orfeathers.

Referring to FIG. 1, first decorative structure 22 and second decorativestructure 24 may be similar to one another, may be mirror images of oneanother as depicted in FIG. 4 or may be quite different from one anotheras depicted in FIG. 5. First decorative structure 22 and seconddecorative structure 24 may be unique but thematically linked such as animage of starfish and an image of anchor depicted in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 1, first decorative structure 22 and second decorativestructure 24 may be exchangeable or be permanently attached to firstspring clip 12 and second spring clip 14. An example exchangeabledecorative structure 22 or second decorative structure 24 includescoupler 46. In this example coupler 46 includes spring hook 48 and hookreceiver 50. Other couplers 46 known to those skilled in the art may beused as well.

FIG. 8 depicts two alternative embodiments of first jaw 26 and secondjaw 28. To the right of the drawing first jaw 26 and second jaw 28 areflat and have no teeth. To the left side first jaw 26 and second jaw 28are flat and have padding thereon.

In operation, garment fastener 10 may be utilized to fasten scarves,shawls, shrugs, kimonos, robes, swing coats, vests and like garmentsthat may not include fasteners in the garment structure. Garmentfastener 10 may also be utilized to fasten garments that includefasteners in the garment structure. For example, a user may place ascarf around the neck and shoulders with the ends of the scarf danglingdown the front of the torso. Garment fastener 10 may also be utilized tofasten garments that include fasteners in the garment structure such asto secure the neckline of a dress or top to inhibit undesired gaping ofthe garment with movement of the wearer.

In the example of a scarf, the user couples first spring clip 12 to oneside of the scarf and second spring clip 14 to the other side of thescarf thus securing the first and second sides of the scarf togetherwith garment fastener 10. The presence of garment fastener 10 assists inpreventing the scarf from falling from the shoulders. When it is desiredto removed the garment, the user can decouple first releasable coupler16 from central ring 20 and remove the scarf without the necessity fromremoving garment fastener 10 from the scarf thus inhibiting the loss ofparts of garment fastener 10.

Garment fastener 10 may also be coupled to two parts of a garment whenit is desired to keep the garment from gaping open and possibly leadingto exposure of body parts that the wearer may not want exposed.

Garment fastener 10 may include only one of first releasable coupler 16and second releasable coupler 18 so that garment fastener 10 may beuncoupled only from one side of central ring 20. A user may also coupleother decorative items to central ring 20 for fashionable presentation.As depicted in FIG. 9, central ring 20 may also be utilized to supportan unused article, for example, reading glasses by slipping one templeof the reading glasses through central ring 20.

Garment fastener 10 as depicted in FIG. 8 has flat toothless first jaw26 and second jaw 28 and optionally padding 34 which whether padded orunpadded may reduce the likelihood of damage to delicate fabrics ifapplied to garments made of delicate fabrics.

As depicted in FIG. 10, garment fastener 10 can be coupled to a necklaceor a scarf or other garment or item of jewelry. First decorativestructure 22 and second decorative structure 24 can be separated fromcentral ring 20 and coupled by one of first spring clip 12, secondspring clip 14, first releasable hook 16 and second releasable hook 18.Alternately, garment fastener 10 can be couple to the item of jewelry orgarment as a complete unit including first decorative structure 22,second decorative structure 24 and central ring 20.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit of the essential attributes thereof;therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention.

1. A garment fastener, comprising: a first garment clip having a firstset of two jaws, the first set of two jaws being resiliently biasedtoward each other and openable to receive a first portion of a garmentgrippingly therein when closed; a second garment clip having a secondset of two jaws, the second set of two jaws being resiliently biasedtoward each other and openable to receive a second portion of thegarment grippingly therein; a central ring; at least one releasablecoupler operably coupled to the first cushioned clip and formed anddimensioned to releasably operably couple the first cushioned clip tothe central ring; the second cushioned clip also being operably coupledto the central ring; and two decorative embellishments, each of the twodecorative embellishments being operable coupled with one of the firstcushioned clip and the second cushioned clip.
 2. The garment fastener asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the two decorative embellishments aresimilar.
 3. The garment fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the twodecorative embellishments are mirror images of each other.
 4. Thegarment fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two decorativeembellishments are unique from one another.
 5. The garment fastener asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the two decorative embellishments arethematically linked.
 6. The garment fastener as claimed in claim 1,wherein the central ring has a diameter of about one centimeter to aboutfour and one half centimeters.
 7. The garment fastener as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the central ring has a ring thickness of about 0.20 toabout 0.35 centimeters.
 8. The garment fastener as claimed in claim 1,wherein at least one of the decorative embellishments is flexible. 9.The garment fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one offurther comprising padding at least partially covering at least one ofthe first set of two jaws and the second set of two jaws.
 10. A methodof securing a worn garment to itself and of releasing the worn garment,comprising: attaching a first garment clip having a first set of twojaws covered at least partially by first padding material to a firstportion of the worn garment; attaching a second garment clip having asecond set of two jaws covered at least partially by second paddingmaterial to a second portion of the worn garment; uncoupling at leastone releasable coupler from a central ring that interconnects the firstgarment clip to the second garment clip via the releasable coupler whileleaving the first garment clip attached to the first portion of the worngarment and the second garment clip attached to the second portion ofthe garment.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprisingsecuring a decorative embellishment to at least one of the first garmentclip and the second garment clip.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 10,further comprising securing a first decorative embellishment to thefirst garment clip and securing a second decorative embellishment to thesecond garment clip.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, furthercomprising selecting the first decorative embellishment to be similar tothe second decorative embellishment.
 14. The method as claimed in claim12, further comprising selecting the first decorative embellishment tobe a mirror image of the second decorative embellishment.
 15. The methodas claimed in claim 12, further comprising selecting the firstdecorative embellishment to be unique from the second decorativeembellishment.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprisingselecting the first decorative embellishment to be thematically linkedthe second decorative embellishment.
 17. The method as claimed in claim12, further comprising selecting at least one of the first decorativeembellishment and the second decorative embellishment to be flexible.